MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Governor Phil Scott says his team will focus on the facts — not the rhetoric — regarding potential tariffs or other directives from the Trump administration.
The comments come after the president on Monday agreed to a 30-day pause on his tariff threats against Mexico and Canada after America’s two largest trading partners took steps to appease his concerns about border security and drug trafficking.
Gov. Scott says even though the tariffs with Canada are on pause, he has tasked Commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurrle to look at their possible impacts on Vermont.
“We cannot be in a constant state of fear, panic, and disruption over the next four years,” Scott said in a statement. “Most Vermonters agree, a trade war with our largest trading partner, which could increase costs on already overburdened working families, seems like a bad idea, but we should be fair and take time to understand what problem the president intends to solve, the results he expects to get, and the risks he’s willing to take, before we cast judgment. We need actual data and credible analysis to demonstrate disadvantages we are concerned about.”
Scott says the interagency team looking at potential tariffs will also include the Department of Labor, Agency of Agriculture, and Public Service Department.